What Is the ASRS v1.1? The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Explained

The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) is a short questionnaire developed with the World Health Organization to help adults check whether their everyday experiences match common ADHD symptoms. The official version and its background are hosted by Harvard Medical School's National Comorbidity Survey team.

How the 18 questions are organised

The scale has two parts. Part A holds six questions that were found to be the most predictive of ADHD. Part B holds twelve more questions that add detail about inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Every question asks how often something has happened over the past six months, from Never to Very often.

How scoring works

• In Part A, each question has a threshold. Answers at or above it count as a marked answer.
• Four or more marked answers in Part A is considered a positive screen.
• Part B answers give extra context for a clinician but do not change the Part A result.

Our ASRS v1.1 test applies these rules automatically and also shows a total score so you can see the overall picture.

What a positive screen means

A positive screen means your answers look similar to those of adults who have ADHD. It is not a diagnosis. Other things — stress, poor sleep, anxiety or depression — can produce similar answers. Only a qualified professional can diagnose ADHD after a full assessment. Read more in our guide to screening vs diagnosis.